Metabolomic study of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb raw seed butter from different Amazonian regions

Abstract

Introduction: Virola surinamensis, known in the Brazilian Amazonian region as "ucuuba", produces seeds with high lipid content. The butter extracted from ucuuba seeds has a high moisturize potential, skin repairing properties and soft texture, which is interesting for cosmetic application. Methods: Virola surinamensis seeds from three different Amazonian regions were collected and studied: Para’s Northeast (Para/Brazil), Marajo Island (Para/Brazil) and RESEX Medio Jurua (Amazon as/Brazil). Fatty acid and triacilglycerides compositions were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Secondary metabolite profiles were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-QToF-MS), in both negative and positive ionization modes. Results: Results revealed thar capric and lauric acids contents of RESEX Medio Jurua region butter were different from Para’s Northeast and Marajo island regions. LaMM and MMM triacilglycerols were the majoritarian triacilglycerides and the distribution of RESEX Medio Jurua region was also distinct. Different metabolites profiles were observed for the samples. Primary and secondary metabolites differences between V. surinamensis seed butter from three different Amazonian regions suggests that the environment influences the metabolome. Conclusion: Advanced analytical techniques and statistical analysis have proved to be essential for the metabolomic studies and for better understanding of the global chemical composition of different vegetable samples.